In the time of WW1, two pilots Giovanni Ravelli and Giorgio Parodi and their mechanic, Carlo Guzzi, when they weren't flying or servicing aeroplanes spent their time on the ground daydreaming about starting their own motorcycle company after the war. Their roles would be Carlo Guzzi as the designer, Giovanni Ravelli as the racer and Giorgio Parodi would be the financial backing.
It didn’t go according to plan when Giovanni Ravelli died in a plane crash before they could form their company. The remaining duo then named the company GP Guzzi-Parodi and paid tribute to their friend by using the Italians Air Corp’s eagle as the logo for the company. The company didn't keep the name for long as Parodi’s family had a huge financial stake in the shipping industry and wanted to distance themselves from the company just in case it didn't do too well, and so the Guzzi-Parodi name was dropped.
Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi, were joined by Giorgio's brother Angelo who now held a silent partnership in the company. On 15th March 1921 they formed a new company, Moto Guzzi. Carlo designed the first single cylinder engine that would end up being used in various configurations for an astonishing 45 years.
From the 1940’s onward Moto Guzzi continued to develop new engines and motorcycles. They dominated in the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing with durable and lightweight fast bikes. After WW2 post-war Europe was difficult for most and the solution for Moto Guzzi was to start production of the small inexpensive, lightweight cycles. Moto Guzzi tried to penetrate the popular market for scooters which was influenced by the likes of Piaggio (Vespa) and Lambretta.
After being in financial crisis since 1964, in 1967 SEIMM (Società Esercizio Industrie Moto Meccaniche), a state-controlled receiver took ownership of Moto Guzzi. It was during these years that Giulio Cesare Carcano designed the 90 degree V twin engine which would go on to become iconic of Moto Guzzi.
The owner of this beautiful 1993 Moto Guzzi 750 Targa has owned the motorcycle since 2017. The bike was purchased knowing it would need some work, but it also came with low mileage and lots of history and so made it an ideal project base. One previous owner had managed to track down the previous owners and it turns out that the original owner in 1993 lived just half a mile away from the seller (such a small world we live in).
The bike was purchased and sent off to Ray Petty Meccanica in Canary Wharf, London. Ray Petty are a leading Ducati motorcycle garage and specialise in Ducati and other early Italian marques from the 1970’s and 80’s. They do everything from basic servicing and repairs right through to custom design builds. The seller knew what he wanted and his vision was to retain as many of the Moto Guzzi’s original parts as possible, but turn the bike into a 1980’s Cafe style racer. The challenge was set for the team at Ray Petty Meccanica and the process was started to design and build this bespoke Moto Guzzi cafe racer we have offered here today.
Initially the design and build was planned to take approximately 12 months. However, as with a lot of projects things get delayed for one reason and another and the whole project was finished 3 years later, much longer than anticipated. As we all know a lot can change In 3 years, just as the seller's circumstances have. With a house build now mid way through and the Moto Guzzi just finished, unfortunately it's finished just at the wrong time with nowhere to store the bike and so the seller has made the decision to part with his vision of the Cafe racer.
The V5 for the Moto Guzzi is present and shows 9 former keepers. As the build was only finished in July last year the motorcycle has MOT until 29th July 2021.
The cafe racer comes with the original handbook and also the original service book which has 5 stamps in it, the last one coming from Ray Petty Meccanica who certainly gave it a thorough service and just a tad more!
Receipts are plentiful, dating back to 1993. Also included is a list and letters from previous keepers stating the dates owned and mileage covered. And now, (this is a big one!), the invoice from Ray Petty Meccanica for £10,000
This may be a 1993 Moto Guzzi 750 Targa but certainly doesn't look like one with its new uber cool 80’s cafe racer feel. Whilst in the hands of Ray Petty Meccanica everything was stripped back to the bare bones and then blasted. The frame has been modified at the rear to make the raised rear loop and this has then been re-painted. Everything where possible that needed to be replaced has been with genuine Moto Guzzi parts to keep the OEM feel.
If it wasn’t re-painted it was re-chromed, handlebars, brackets and leavers, nothing has been left untouched!. One thing that has remained original is the clocks. Although the bike has been rebuilt the seller wanted to retain the original mileage for the bike which is showing 17,722 on the odometer. The wiring loom for the Moto Guzzi has been checked and replaced or uprated wherever necessary.
The wheels are the originals and these have been painted to match the Gloss black frame and fitted with new tyres. Again the fuel tank is also the original and has been painted in the period green/black colour scheme. The lights and indicators for the racer have been replaced but this time with some that are more aesthetically pleasing over the original items, the same for the front mudguard.
As with the rest of the bike the 750 V-twin engine has been given the full works too. Completely stripped down and rebuilt by the team at Ray Petty and again the parts have either been painted, chromed or polished prior to the rebuild to give it that factory fresh look. The downpipes have been replaced with original items and the rear cones are suitable period looking aftermarket items.
The front forks have been stripped and rebuilt to an OEM spec and the rear dampers replaced. Front and rear brakes have been given the ‘as new’ treatment, again all parts replaced as necessary with OEM specification parts.
The seller reports that his twist on the Moto Guzzi 750 Targa has worked extremely well, the bike rides lovely. Moto Guzzi’s famous V-twin pulls well through the gears and sounds amazing with a mixture of classic/modern tones exiting the exhausts.
What a bike! It certainly is no expense spared, stripped designed and rebuilt from the wheels up by a well known reputable company and only finished July 2020.
This is it! If you’ve ever fancied the cafe racer style, now is the time to grab that open face helmet, sunglasses, leather jacket and matching boots and you’re set to fit right in, sat on this cool looking Cafe racer!
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1993 Moto Guzzi 750 Targa Custom
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